“So you’re saying a software company will not hire you as a regular employee because you’re over 50? When you say you’re “over 50″ does that mean you’re like 92 and confined to a bed or you’re 52 and maybe you don’t want to work 9-5 M-F? Are no permanent jobs available because of this economy? Are there no jobs in the area you live and you’re not willing to relocate? I find it real hard to believe that there are “no permanent jobs” just because you’re over 50.
Can the author please address this statement?”
Sure. I’m 53, and I’m in good health. Few permanent jobs are available because of the current state of the economy. I have actually managed to get two permanent job interviews over the last eight months (one in Boise, one in Reno), but it’s definitely an employer’s market.
In general, employers are reluctant to hire older workers, for several reasons:
1. If they can hire an older worker for $50,000 a year, or someone with three years of experience, they prefer the younger worker, because when the economy revives, the older, more experienced engineer may have job offers more in line with his past salary history.
2. There is a perception (and sometimes with some accuracy) that most engineering jobs don’t require 30 years of experience. The younger worker may have less experience, but perhaps be more energetic. (Of course, sometimes older engineers have learned the self-discipline that comes from many years of doing this.)
3. Group health insurance rates are a function of age of the primary insured. I noticed that when there was a big layoff at my employer last August, that almost everyone in the room was my age or older–some substantially older.
